Assists physicians with patient care in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, primarily as Treatment and Medication Adherence Nurse. 

Adherence/Clinical Responsibilities 

• Meet and follow-up with all newly diagnosed patients starting ARV or regime change 

• Meet with patients who do not have an undetectable viral load 

• Virginia Department of Health (VDH) point of contact for completion of AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) applications and semi-annual certifications for entire Ryan White population 

• Must be knowledgeable of medication formularies of ADAP and various insurance plans and able to navigate systems to ensure patient access   

• Assist patients with pharmaceutical support programs as needed 

• Assist with pre-authorization of medications and facilitate obtaining medications in a timely manner to avoid an adverse impact to patient health 

• Monitor adherence with effective records and documentation 

• Document nursing care and patient status in accordance with nursing procedures 

• Meet with clients referred from providers, or case managers 

• Engage in problem solving with clients to address adherence problems 

Educate 

• Responsible for patient education about ARV’s 

• Participate in patient teaching according to the patient’s needs and plan of care 

• Participate in continuing HIV/AIDS education programs and meetings 

• Assist with the development and maintenance of patient education handouts about HIV care 

Assist patients/clients to: 

• Provide goal directed education and emotional support and help patients build health promotion skills that support positive behaviors with medication and appointment adherence 

• Understand and move through the various stages of commitment to their care 

• Navigate the service system and provide access to services 

• Participate in their care and treatment  

• Develop a plan to incorporate health care and medication adherence into daily life 

• Work with patients to formulate a plan to overcome barriers and facilitators to adherence 

• Address specific concerns of patients about health care appointment adherence 

Teamwork 

• Assist program and care team (Case managers, peer educators) to communicate adherence message to patients 

• Act as liaison between patients and case managers when needed  

• Assist with medication reconciliation via the HER 

• To provide support and resource to nursing staff 

• Assist with adherence support at the Ryan White satellite clinics 

• Contributes to an effective and efficient practice environment 

• Utilizes standard precautions including personal protective equipment in delivery of care 

• Demonstrates competency in delivery of care that is culturally competent and age specific to meet the needs of the client 

• Facilitates the renewal of medications through communication with the providers. 

• Informs patients of lab results and diagnostic testing as requested by providers. 

• Work with administration and physician leadership to develop effective strategies for keeping patients in care according to HRSA guidelines.  This includes follow-up on patients who have been lost to follow-up, or those that have repeated no shows or cancellations for scheduled visits.  

• Work with providers on innovative plans to rapidly start patients in care and keep patients in care utilizing strategies such as the “rapid access clinic”, the weekly “walk-in clinic” and telemedicine.  

• Demonstrates competent practice and engages in opportunities for clinical growth 

• Performs other duties as assigned. 

• Completion of a program of instruction for licensure as a Practical Nurse required.  

• Must be a licensed LPN in Virginia.  

• Prior experience strongly recommended in HIV/sexually transmitted diseases and knowledge of HIV (antiretroviral) medications and treatments.  

• Knowledge of medical terminology, ICD9/CPT Coding and prescription drug processes (generic vs. brand name and dosing methodology).  

• Knowledge of patient enrollment and eligibility processes.   

• Completion of BLS Class and re-certify every 2 years.